This Girl Stripped

by Dawn Robertson

  My head is swimming, and I’m pretty sure I should have skipped that last beer. Come to think of it, I’m a little shocked my sister allows any kind of alcohol in the house given her history. Maybe it’s just for the holidays? I can’t wait anymore or I am going to lose my nerve.

  “Wanna come up to my room for a bit? We can watch a movie or something.” I get up from River's lap, where I’ve been comfortably sitting for the past two hours. There has been no uncomfortable moments when our bodies connect everything feels right for the first time in forever. I’m fucking cheesy. But it’s always like this with him.

  “Got National Lampoons Christmas Vacation?” River asks, standing up and stretching his legs. His arms shoot out over his head and I can see the slightest bit of dark black hair on his stomach while his blue jeans ride low on his hips. I’m momentarily distracted while I ogle his body, then I realize he just mentioned my favorite Christmas movie of all time. Screw White Christmas, or It’s a Wonderful Life; National Lampoons is where it’s at!

  “Is Rusty still in the Navy?” I reply in my best Aunt Bethany voice and River starts cracking up. Yup, something about this is just right. His fingers lace between mine and we make our way up the stairs and to my room. My secluded bedroom sits far from everyone else, surrounded by two unoccupied spare rooms.

  I push the door open and my bare feet patter across the hard wood floor toward the television. The DVD is readily available because I’ve watched it no less than a dozen times since Star set me up in here. So generous with every last detail, from the king sized bed to the electronics on which she spared no expense. I felt bad, really bad. I know some day I will re-pay her for every last thing. I don't like owing anyone anything. Every day that passes, I want to make it on my own more and more.

  “Get comfy, I’ll start the movie.” I point to my bed as he kicks his shoes off, and jumps into the pile of pillows. Just watching him sprawl out across my bed makes my heart skip a beat. Fuck. I should hold back. I should act like we’re in high school and just watch the damn movie, but all I want to do is fucking strip. I am sick of him looking at me as nothing more than a friend.

  The opening credits of the movie start, and I make my way to the closet. I have no desire to actually keep these jeans on. Who wears jeans in bed anyway? I’ve been uncomfortable for hours while keeping my Christmas best on, but I’m finally in my own personal space. I poke my head out of the closet and turn toward River.

  “I’m just going to get comfy okay?” He nods and mutters a whatever. I strip off the dark blue skinny jeans, and the white ruffled top. My panties slide down my legs, and I unclasp my bra. It joins the pink lace number on the floor. I pull a short, white, silk nightgown off a hanger. I silently thank Star for the sexy little number.

  I peek out of the closet, silently taking him in. It’s in this moment that I realize whatever it’s that I feel for him isn't the lust I have felt for every other man that has walked in and out of my life. It sounds stupid, like a line out of a fucking movie but, to me, it’s real. I can feel the pull from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. The stolen glances, the sweet smiles. The butterflies flutter through my stomach and the desire flows through my soul. It’s as intense as it can get, but I am sick of wasting time. I let go of the fear and I go to him.

  As I walk across the cold floor, his eyes swing in my direction. His relaxed look changes while he takes in every inch of my exposed skin. I pull the covers down on the opposite side of the bed, and start to climb in when his hand reaches for me.

  “Please don't hide, come here.” He pulls me close, but not in the way you would expect. He settles me into the crook of his arm gently, while kissing the top of my head in the most respectful manner possible. I snuggle up close and lay my hand on his chest. We lay like this for a while, watching the movie, and laughing at all the the hysterical one liners. I can't help but shoot up laughing when Clark Griswold starts his profanity filled Christmas rant. It’s my favorite damn part.

  River still lays against my pillows and my mind churns with thoughts of what I really want to be doing to him while the rest of the house is sleeping. Back and forth, I argue with myself. Should I? Shouldn't I? Fuck it. You only live once, right? I waited long enough already.

  Instead of laying back down in his warm embrace, I swing my leg over his body and straddle his lap. His gorgeous green eyes are bright with a hint of surprise, as his hand falls to my hip.

  “Paisley?” his voice is low, and the sexy baritone sound of his words excite me while they vibrate through my most intimate parts. I gaze up under heavy lidded eyes, meeting his heated eyes through my long lashes. He is losing his control.

  “River,” I reply with a silly grin. His hand runs along my cheek, tucking my hair behind my ears, just like earlier. Every time our skin comes in contact, I can't help but notice a current that passes through our bodies. I can see it in the way he looks at me while we are so intimately connected, he feels it every bit as strongly as I do.

  “Are you sure?” his tone is sweet, and innocent. Everything I’m not. But I know, deep down, he has a wild streak in him. He’s confessed this to me - his darkest secrets. I know everything.

  “I want this, River. I want you.” As those words slip between our bodies into the crisp winter night, his lips press to mine. Gently at first, but with every instant that passes, it becomes more frantic, more possessive. My rosy lips part allowing his tongue to command control of my mouth and my body withers under his touch. His rough hands control the rhythm my hips keep as my bare mound rubs against the straining erection under his worn jeans.

  His body jerks out from underneath me and I’m pinned against the bed. His strength overpowers me, as he presses me into the soft mattress. One hand holds both of my arms above my head as his mouth explores down my body. Drifting over the contours of my breasts, nipping through the thin nightgown still barely covering my most intimate places.

  I should panic at him pinning me to the bed. I should be scared. I should feel in danger. But I’m not nervous at all. I’m loving every second of it. I want more. I want him. All of him.

  I should have known he was going to be this controlling though.

  His teeth nip at my pebbled nipples through the thin silk nightgown, and I can’t help but let out a strangled moan I have been holding in since he finally gave in and touched me. His reaction to the noise is primal. He reaches for the hem of my nightgown and pulls it over my head without a second thought. The thin fabric rips and I can’t help but laugh.

  As I lay back on the bed, I watch his face with curiosity. He’s holding back and I know why. He’s worried about scaring me. He’s worried about hurting me. He isn’t himself, he isn’t going to be himself with me tonight. This much is clear. I wish I could be inside his head though.

  River runs his fingers through his messy black locks and I continue to watch him through my heavy lidded eyes. His face contorts like he has seen something horrible. I can’t help but feel self conscious. Is there something wrong with me?

  He shakes his head, and pulls his t-shirt over his head. I am not sure if I am ready for whatever is going to come next, but God I want it all at the same time. I lift my hands from the bed and pull at the button of his jeans. My hands come in contact with his dick immediately. I let out a moan realizing he isn’t wearing any underwear. Fuckin’ perfect. Jesus!

  I wrap my hand around his cock, and slowly start to jerk him off. His body slowly relaxes to my touch. The tense expression is completely gone now. His eyes close and his head rolls back. He is absolutely beautiful when he finally gives up and gives in to me.

  His thumbs slip inside the waistband of his jeans, pushing them down and kicking them off in a singe fluid motion. Kind of impressive actually. He pauses and we stare into each other’s eyes for a moment. He’s fighting with himself in his head, I can read it all over his face. I know him well enough to know exactly what he’s thinking.

  “River,” I breathlessly say.

 
He grunts in acknowledgment, while trailing his mouth up the side of my neck. A shiver runs through my body. He completely distracts me from my original question. I’m lost in the sensations of him licking and sucking on my neck.

  “Do you have… ya know?” He stops, and lifts off of my body, looking at me once again. Realizing what I just asked him, he flops back onto the bed and his arm covers his eyes.

  “Fuck,” he mumbles under his breath.

  “I’ll take that as a no?” I roll onto my side, and snuggle next to his warm body.

  “No,” he’s clearly annoyed. I want this. I want this so badly, I lie. I know the words coming out of my mouth are only going to bite me in the ass eventually. I know I’ve been completely reckless, but the chances of getting pregnant right now are so next to impossible. I’m not worried.

  “It’s okay. I mean… I’m clean and protected.” He just stares at me. Not saying a word. It takes him a minute until he realized what I just told him.

  “I am. Are you sure this is what you want, Paisley?” I don’t think about replying. This is what I want, so I show him instead of using words. I slide my leg across his body, my wet pussy hovers mere inches above his waiting cock. Without warning, I slowly sink down onto him. Inch-by-inch his dick fills my hot cunt. It feels good, he fills me. I can’t help but compare every second of this to Diesel. They are both just so different in so many ways. River is long, touching me in places I never knew possible. Shit! Why am I thinking about him right now?

  I’m in over my head.

  With each movement, I take control of River. I’m on top, I’m moving, I’m the one bringing the pleasure to both of us. The noises he makes encourage me. He isn’t fighting for control or trying to take it from me. He is relaxed, just watching me take my pleasure. My moans drown out the sound from the television.

  Finally River starts to move. His hands run up my body, cupping my tits and my body starts to sag into his touch. I can’t hold myself up anymore. My nipples rub against his smooth, tattooed covered chest.

  I sit up, and reach between our connected bodies. Working for my own pleasure as I bounce up and down on his cock. I can’t help but keep eye contact with him the whole time. My fingers rub against his dick, running in and out of my cunt. I massaged my clit, and slowly start to lose it. My other hand reaches up pinching a nipple as I work to bring my body to climax. Just when I am almost there, River flips me onto my back.

  I would laugh, but the stern look on his face almost scares me. It isn’t him acting. It’s not the sweet man who has been with me all night long. He roughly grabs my wrists and pulls them above my head. His cock pushes in and out of me harder and harder with each thrust. He is frantic, a man possessed.

  His free hand pushes between our bodies and starts working my clit again. I can’t help but moan and push back under the pleasure of his touch. I start gasping for air as my orgasm washes over my body. I can feel it contracting around his dick as he continues to pound into me.

  Without any warning, he pulls out, and frantically starts working his dick. Burst after burst of hot come covers my bare pussy and stomach. His breathing is heavy and he just sits on his knees staring at his come all over my body. What I do next may possibly ruin him for life, but I can’t help myself.

  I rub my finger through the come, inserting it with a single finger into my pussy, before reaching for the last bit, running my finger through it and licking every last drop. If I didn’t just win him over, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to.

  That night, I fall asleep in River’s arms. The one place in the world I want to be. But, my mind is invaded with dreams of Diesel.

  I wake up to River watching me sleep. I let out a yawn, and greet him.

  “Mornin’,” I lean in and press a chaste kiss to his soft, welcoming lips. God I could never get enough of them. Shit. I’m in way over my head, and I don’t know if River is ever going to let me in or if I’m just setting myself up for more fucking heartbreak.

  The bedroom door swings open and Seven wanders in mumbling something, “Paisley, I was wondering if you could…” Seven freezes in the doorway as her dark eyes bounce back and forth between the two of us. River pulls the sheets up over his head in embarrassment. It’s clear as day what happened, because we are still buck-naked. Oh well, the cat will be out of the bag in three...two...one...

  “PAISLEY AND RIVER!!!!” she screams, her voice echoes through the hallway, and most of the house. Damn, she is loud! She doesn't move though, standing in the doorway as River peaks out from under the blanket wondering why the fuck she is still standing there. I can’t help but laugh at it all. I should have known there is no privacy in this house. I should have known to lock the damn door.

  Doors all over the house open and close and the footsteps start. We’re both naked and stuck in this bed. He looks like he wants to run and hide. I just want to laugh.

  “It worked!” Star's face appears from behind Seven, and the two start jumping up and down in the doorway. Chrome, Levi, Ryker, Scarlett, and Magnolia appear not long after. Every person in the house is now gawking at us. Thank fucking god Diesel isn’t here. There is no way I would be able to face that situation. I really need to fucking work this all out in my head before I end up hurting someone now.

  “Why don't you take a picture, it will last longer,” River yells at the crowd. They continue to talk amongst themselves like we aren't laying feet away, naked.

  The crowd goes silent for just a minute before they all burst out laughing.

  “Merry Christmas!” Star laughs and the door closes.

  How could I forget it’s Christmas Eve?

  Merry Fucked Up Christmas

  Christmas Eve dinner is upon us and the entire family is seated around the giant table. River is as far away as possible. After our morning got off to a rocky start, he bolted. I still don't know where he went since he didn't say more than two words to me before he took off. I would be lying if I said my feelings weren't hurt. I didn't take him for that kind of guy, but then again, I should have realized by now that all men are fucking dogs.

  I tried to talk to him a number of times and on every occasion he found something more important to be doing at that exact moment. Whatever. I don’t care. Well, I do care but I’m going to pretend I don’t.

  In between bites of surprisingly good ham, I try not to stare at him. This is becoming a love-hate relationship rather quickly. You would think after all the shit I’ve been through, I could pull off emotionally void pretty fucking well. Not when it comes to River though. Or Diesel. Fuck. I’m a mess. I’m surprised no one is asking me why it looks like someone ran my kitten through a meat grinder. Whatever game he’s playing, he’s winning. I’m afraid he’ll always win.

  I look up again, swinging my eyes in his direction for the millionth time when I realize instead of looking into the side of his head, our gazes lock and he gives me a sly smile. I want to get up and throw my plate at him. How fucking dare you smile at me? No matter how hard I try, I can't pull my eyes away from his. I hate every second of it. This pull is stupid. Everything about this is fucking foolish. I should have never come back to this shithole town. Rash? Yeah. But I just can't stay here. I need to leave.

  I tap on my glass a couple times to gain the attention of the table. Finally, pulling my eyes from River, I rise from the chair and start in on my completely unplanned Christmas Eve speech. This will go down in history.

  “I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and my wonderful big sister, Star, for going above and beyond. I am so proud of you.” The table erupts in applause and congratulations for her stellar Christmas accomplishments. “You have been the best sister a girl could ask for and I will always be grateful for that. The last month has been wonderful and healing. I appreciate all you have done for me, but...” I fidget with the dress I’m wearing, pulling it down and praying it covers my thick ass. I really should have gotten something more appropriate.

  “I’m going to be moving on in th
e New Year. Woodstock is nice and I’ve loved the time I’ve spent here, especially getting to know my beautiful niece, Magnolia.” I look over and give my little blonde angel a smile. She’ll probably be the only one I’ll miss. Star is used to me being gone, but it will hurt to leave this little girl behind. I don't want to, but this is what I have to do. I try not to cry thinking about leaving behind Diesel and River.

  “I got places to go and people to see. Merry Christmas everyone!” I sit back down in my chair and, once again, my eyes fall back to River. Instead of seeing the relief I expected, his face is clearly pained. He’s hurt, and I just wish I knew why. I was almost positive this was exactly what he wanted. Either way, I’m not sticking around for a guy or two. No fucking way. I’m just not that kind of girl.

  “Where are you heading to first?” Seven's voice fills the room. I should have known that Miss Jet Set herself would want to know my plans. Think quick, Paisley.

  “I think I’m going to hit up Vegas.” Lies! All lies! Although, I have always wanted to go to Vegas. Maybe I could make some good money at one of those upscale strip clubs. Girls out there make a fuckin' killing. Bad memories flood my mind of Daytona and that nasty strip club. I try not to let my face look as pained as my soul.

  “I love Vegas.” River chimes in from the other side of the table. What fucking game is he playing? His dark eyes run along my body as I pick up the nearly empty glass of wine in front of me and chug the rest. I smile in his direction as the entire table watches us in silence.

  “That's nice,” I add. I want to punch him. Would it be too much to do it over Christmas Eve dinner? Because I am pretty sure it wouldn't be a Bloom family Christmas without some kind of fucked up drama.

  His chair pushes back, scraping loudly against the hardwood floor and he turns for the kitchen, but not before he stares straight through me, “A word, Paisley?”